Governor joins chorus of state Dems urging legislator to resign over harassment claims

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Gov. Roy Cooper and other leading Democrats have called for a Democratic state representative to resign over allegations of sexual harassment.

NC Policy Watch on Wednesday published an account detailing accusations that three-term Rep. Duane Hall (D-Wake) had harrassed women, including kissing women without their consent.

“These allegations are disturbing, and I believe he should resign,” Cooper said in a statement released Wednesday. “We must create a culture where harassment of any kind is unacceptable.”

House Democratic Leader Darren Jackson said in a statement that he had asked Hall to resign on Tuesday.

“I think it is right that he step back from public service, work to make amends, and learn from his past mistakes,” Jackson said.

The state party chair, Wayne Goodwin, released the following statement:

Sexual harassment is never acceptable – no matter the party or politics. These are serious allegations and Representative Hall should step down. The North Carolina Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment and we continue to encourage women to speak out against inappropriate behavior of any kind.